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Nutrition (BS)

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Study the art and science of nutrition — and then launch a high-impact career in health promotion or as a Registered Dietitian. Our program will give you the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience needed to step into the field as a fully-prepared professional.

Pick your Path: 2 Concentrations

Health Promotion

A concentration in Health Promotion is ideal for those who want to work in disease prevention, food service, or nutrition education — all with the goal of promoting lifelong health. The curriculum focuses on nutrition education for disease prevention and management. Students work with a variety of community partners, contributing to projects that serve local needs.

Coordinated Program in Dietetics

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) concentration will prepare you to become a Registered Dietitian — an in-demand career! Students apply to this program in their sophomore year in order to complete the required practicum experience. The curriculum includes supervised practice in food service management, clinical medical nutrition, and community nutrition. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam*.

Did You Know?

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) defines a registered dietitian nutritionist as a “food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the credential RDN.” Many work environments, particularly those in medical and health-care settings, seek credentialed RDNs.

*Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that students complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In Indiana, graduates also must obtain certification to practice.

Academic Plan

An academic plan is a general blueprint showing how one might complete the degree, semester by semester.

Outstanding Practicum Experiences

Students in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics complete a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practicum experience, gaining real-life experience in:

Join a Growing Career Field

Jobs for dietitians and nutritionists are expected to grow 15% by 2026 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)!

I’m amazed at how much I’m learning, from the faculty and the clinical rotations. Day by day it’s hard to track, but when I think back at what I’ve experienced, I realize how far I’ve come. It’s pretty powerful!Jessica Butler ’18
Coordinated Program in Dietetics

Learn in our On-Campus Foods Lab

The USF Foods Lab is set up like a commercial food service kitchen, giving you the opportunity to build skills and confidence in a safe environment. Exploring the chemistry of foods or modifying a recipe for a medical condition brings the science to life!

Get Involved

Be part of the KAN Club (Kinesiology & Nutrition) community! Students majoring in Kinesiology & Nutrition participate in a variety of opportunities centered on career exploration, campus awareness, and community building. You will socialize, network with professionals, and host on-campus exercise and nutrition awareness activities. A KAN favorite: the monthly Lunch Bunch where everyone brings an ingredient and contributes to a themed meal.

Be Taught by Experts

As a student in our Nutrition and Dietetics program, you will be taught by true experts — clinicians who work in the field and share the value of their professional experience. They know what’s current in the industry and how to transition into the “real world.” Plus, they really, really care about your success!

The professors are one of the best things about this program. They are so engaged with students and they really want us to succeed. I can always approach them for help if I don’t understand something; they always take the time to clarify it or work through it again.Melissa Fearnow ’20
Coordinated Program in Dietetics

Get the Details — Coordinated Program in Dietetics Facts & Info

Our Mission

Rooted in the Catholic & Franciscan traditions, the CPD will engage a diverse community in learning, leadership, and service. The CPD will provide an integrated academic and supervised practice curriculum to train students to become competent entry-level registered dietitians and community leaders in health promotion.

Additional Resources

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Program Overview

The USF CPD offers 1350 hours of supervised practice and 125 credit hours of didactic course work. The practicum experiences are comprised of rotations in: Food Service Management, Clinical Medical Nutrition Therapy, Community Nutrition and a Special Interest area. The USF CPD includes a Health Promotion Concentration. These core rotations are designed to provide students with in-depth experiences in a diverse array of dietetics environments including hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, school food service organizations, university food service organizations, and community outreach organizations. The following is the schedule of supervised practicum experiences.

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Financial Aid

Financial aid is only available for degree-seeking students enrolled in 12 credits or more each semester. See our Office of Financial Aid for more information. Additionally, professional dietetic groups such as AND, IAND, NEIDA and ACEND offer several scholarships that students may apply for.

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CPD Expenses

The student will be responsible for the following expenses:

Type of Expense

One Time Fee

Lab coats and attire for rotations

$100

Name Tag

$10

Physical Exam, Vaccinations and TB test

Variable

Criminal background check

$50 thru PreCheck

Drug screen

$10 thru Redi-Med

Prep materials for Registration Exam

$400

Application for Registration Exam

$200

AND Student Membership

$58

Health Insurance

Variable

Tuition & Fees

$14,155

Text Books

$250

Housing on campus

$4772

Travel and Auto Insurance

Variable

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Coordinated Program in Dietetics Completion Requirements

Students have successfully completed the Coordinated Program in Dietetics and will be eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians after:

Completing the 125 undergraduate credit hours.

Successfully completing a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice experience, earning a minimum grade of B or proficient when evaluated by each preceptor at each supervised practice site.

Receiving a Verification Statement of successful completion of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics from the Program Director.
To become a registered dietitian, students must:

Take the specific set of courses outlined by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). This can be completed at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Complete the required practicum experience or internship, also outlined by ACEND

Verify eligibility status with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)